April/May 2012 No.6

‘The MOL News’…our school

So, we enter the final stretch and term four is up and running. It is hard to avoid using too many Olympic references but it certainly has been a long distance event to get even get to this stage and what I am perhaps most proud of, is the fact that we have managed to keep the steady pace going and have never stopped running! I have a feeling we might just stop for a rest over the summer...In this edition of the newsletter, I have included a list of key dates for the entire term and I hope that you can join us, at as many of the upcoming events.You will notice that up until this point, I have not even made the slightest reference to the weather! However, I am thoroughly looking forward to experiencing the fantastic summer sun that I’ve been promised will pay Milton of Leys a visit during this term! On a few occasions, I’ve already seen how truly glorious the views can be on a bright and clear morning.The final word in this ‘Welcome’ must go to the pupils themselves who continue to excel and demonstrate just how proud they have become of their school. They really do wear their red with pride and continue to embrace each and every challenge that is offered to them with such enthusiasm and passion. Long may this continue...As many around the world count down to the upcoming Olympic Games, our goal is a little closer and we are now getting nearer to the end of the very first year of Milton of Leys Primary. Here’s to the fun and games that lie ahead!Robert QuigleyHead Teacher

A Welcome from the Heedie!

Term DatesMay Day HolidayMonday 7th May’12

Diamond Jubilee DayMonday 4th June’12

End of TERM 4Friday 29th June’12

Beginning of 2012/13Tuesday 14th Aug’12 [for Pupils]

Contact UsTelephone:01463 773020Email:miltonofleys.primary @highland.gov.uk

Please recycle me when finished

Faye (P7)’s winning entry in the Millburn ASG competition to design a

brand new Olympic torch!

IN THE NEWS…Tesco Vouchers

Many thanks to all those who have already sent Tesco Vouchers into the school over the past few weeks. All vouchers can be sent to the school office and will allow the school to order from this year’s catalogue.

Dates for Diaries-Term FourAs you will be aware, this term is an incredibly busy one and in order for parents to make plans, here are some key dates to go into diaries!School Closed-Mon 7th May and Mon 4th JuneCake Sale (Becky K Fundraiser)-Tue 1st MayPortfolios go home-Fri 11th MayPortfolios due back to school-Wed 16th MaySafe Highlanders (P7 only)-Fri 18th MayTempest Photography-Wed 23rd MayNew Primary 1 Information Meeting-Thu 31st May (6.30pm)MOL Summer Fayre-Sat 9th June (10-1pm)Report Cards issued to Parents-Mon 11th JuneP7 Transition visit to Millburn Ac-Wed 13th-Fri 15th JuneMoving Up Day (pupils to meet next teacher)-Mon 18th June (pm)Whole School Trip to Landmark-Tue 19th JuneP7 Trip to Glasgow-Tue 19th-Fri 22nd June Sports Day @ Bught Park Stadium-Tue 26th June (10-1pm) Nursery Graduation Ceremony-Thu 28th June (2.15pm)‘M-Factor’-Thu 28th June (6.30pm)End of Term Assembly/Prize Giving-Fri 29th June (10am)

P1 Information MeetingAs part of the ongoing transition programme for N4 pupils moving into P1, we will be holding an Information Meeting on Thu 31 st May at 6.30pm . This will be a chance to find out more about what life will be like for your wee one in the first few days of P1 as well as giving you practical information about what your child will need to bring. It is hoped that the P1 teachers for next year will be at the meeting. We look forward to seeing you!

House Points Update

As of 30/4/12 here are the latest house points:Elmwood12,271Greenwood12,289Pinewood11,789Redwood11,485Cedarwood11,240

Baby Talk!There must be something in the water at Milton of Leys Primary because in only our first full year, we now have two pregnant ladies! Both Mrs Vass and Mrs Laing are due to become mummies in the next few months. Mrs Vass (P4/5) is due to give birth at the beginning of July and so will be heading off to begin maternity leave on Friday 15th June. Mrs Laing (P5/6) will return after the summer holidays for a short while before beginning maternity leave ready to give birth in early September. Although we will clearly miss both greatly, they have contributed hugely towards the successful start of Milton of Leys Primary and both will leave with our very best wishes and the hopes that all goes extremely smoothly. Both fully intend to return to work at some point during 2012/13 and their positions will of course be temporarily filled, in due course. Good luck to both!!!

Group CallAs many of you will have discovered first hand, we have continued to trial the use of Group Call as an alternative way of communicating with parents. Group Call allows us to send text messages /reminders for a variety of purposes including unexplained absences as well as upcoming events. As the council are part-funding this trial, they are keen for feedback on how this approach has worked in a primary school setting. If you have any constructive comments that you are willing to share, please contact the school office. To this end, can I please remind all parents to contact the school as soon as possible, if your child is absent. We have a legal duty to make attempts to find out why any child is absent so your support would be greatly appreciated.

Summer FayreAs seen in the list of dates above, the school will be holding a Summer Fayre on Saturday 9th June between 10am and 1pm in the school grounds. More details will be given nearer to the event but please put the date in your diary and cross your fingers for a beautiful, sunny day!

‘M’-Factor 2012You will by now, have received a poster with information about the end of term talent show that we are holding on the evening of Thu 28th June @ 6.30pm. Pupils are now busily rehearsing for the class ‘heats’ to see who will represent each class in the final. Tickets will be available at the beginning of June so watch this space!!!

Loo of the Year Award!We were delighted to receive notification of our lovely shiny toilets being awarded FIVE stars in the regional ‘Loo of the Year’ awards. As you would expect for a brand new school, the toilets met the high standards required to gain such an award but more importantly, the pupils have shown respect for their building by ensuring that the toilets remain in good condition, nearly a year into the MOL history. This is also recognition for the hard work that the school’s cleaning staff put in each evening. Well done everyone!

P4/5 Flybe Football Festival @ Caley Stadium

On Wednesday 18th April, pupils from P4 and P5 took part in the latest football festival at Inverness Caley’s stadium. For the majority of the day, the weather was beautiful and made for great playing conditions. The boys performed superbly and showed great sportsmanship throughout the day. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly being awarded the prize for “Best Sportsmanship” which meant that the team brought home £250! Huge congratulations to the boys involved-Ewan C, Ryan M, Craig W, Shane H, Louis M, Ewan F, Callum M and Lewis S. (Poor Clark was ill so couldn’t play...) Many thanks to Coach Moodie (!) and Mrs Mackenzie as well as the band of dedicated supporters who helped take the MOL spirit to the Caley Stadium! Next up...P2/3 Football Festival!!!

IN THE NEWS…HSBC School Bank Opens!

On Tuesday 24 th April , Milton of Ley’s first ever school bank opened. In partnership with HSBC (Inverness), six pupils in P5/6-Jordan R, Matthew T, Leanne Mc, Jack H, Joshua D and Mark W, the bank has now opened for business and pupils who have opened an account, are able to deposit up to £10. The pupils were interviewed in order to get one of the positions within the bank including Bank Manager, Customer Service Officer or Cashier and have been trained in the necessary skills. This is most certainly the very first HSBC School Bank in Inverness so yet another first for MOL!

Sports Day 2012As you may have noticed from the list of upcoming dates for April, we are planning to have a fairly ambitious and grand-scale sports day on June 26 th . The event will take place at Bught Park Stadium which will allow us to use both the track and field to mark our first ever sports day. The stadium is booked from 10am-1pm and all pupils will be transported down via bus. It is very much our intention to hold sports day within the school grounds in future years, but to celebrate our first year, as well as the upcoming Olympics, we have decided to go for something a little different and hopefully, special! All pupils from Nursery to P7 will take part in this sports day and more details will be sent out nearer the time. As a result of having access to the stadium, there should be some great views for family and friends alike.

Say Cheese! Class Photos Coming Up!As you may have noticed from the list of diary dates, we have booked Rhona from Tempest Photography to visit us again on Wednesday 23 rd May to take class photos. We are very keen to mark this unique first year for Milton of Leys Primary so the photos will be taken using the new style of picture (Vista) which allows for a more informal, ‘landscape’ view. More details will be sent out nearer the time, but obviously, we would request that as many pupils wear their red uniform as possible.

Numeracy Week at MOLWe recently held a very successful Numeracy Week which ran from Mon 23rd to Fri 27th April and which ended with a very enjoyable (and slightly competitive!) Eggheads Championship. The whole week was focused around trying to raise the profile of Maths/Numeracy and as you would expect at MOL, this was done through making learning fun. Each day, the classes included some well known TV game shows in their usual maths lessons with winners announced by yours truly at the end of each morning. These games included “Play Your Cards Right”, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”, “University Challenge”, “Countdown” and the aforementioned, “Eggheads”. The Eggheads Championship involved 7 staff ‘volunteers’ taking on our 7 Primary 7 maths experts in the style of the BBC2 quiz show. Although the contest was genuinely close, the P7 pupils shone through in the end and walked away with the coveted trophy and the right to brag about being the MOL Eggheads!

Smarties Tube FundraiserJust a short post to say a big thank you to all who returned the Smarties tubes that were sent out via the Parent Council at the end of last term. As you will recall, this was a joint fundraiser/charity idea and I’m pleased to tell you that as of Friday, we have raised £286.99Half of this money will go towards the Archie Foundation Appeal and the other half will go towards School Fund. Thanks once again on behalf of the Parent Council and school. Special thanks to Nicola M for arranging for the Smarties to be sent home and to Corrie H for counting the dosh!